“I prefer to talk more on the level of intensity on a day-to-day basis, that grind,” Williams said. “Whenever we’ve had teams that understand that (grind), we’ve been in the mix. … We purposely went out and got those types that really want it. If you don’t have (them), nothing else matters.

“I made a lot of mistakes early in my career by throwing a lot more talent against the wall and looking good on paper, but not having the guys who really wanted it and ...

One writer suggests that the Cleveland Americans be called the Submarines, because they are always on the bottom. The only objection is that the Cincinnati Reds might dispute this title.

...and elsewhere on the same page:

After being with a second-division team for several years Lajoie has got renewed ambition. He has got something worth while to work for in 1915.
...
“I can hardly wait for the time to go south,” said Lajoie. “It has been several years since I ...

Thursday, February 19, 2015

You met up-and-coming Rougned Odor last season when the 20-year-old middle infielder notched 100 hits in his rookie campaign for the Rangers. Now, meet Rougned Odor’s younger brother ... Rougned Odor. The younger Rougned Odor followed in his brother’s footsteps (something we’re sure he’s accustomed to by now) and inked a deal with the Rangers on Thursday.
. . .
The older Odor spoke to MLB.com about his brother’s signing, and pointed out ...

Non-Strat-O-Matic fans who are curious about the subject can try to follow Poz’s attempt to explain the game mechanics. I have no idea if that is actually possible to do in this format. He tried, anyway.

Former top prospect in baseball goes under the knife. This does not sound good.

The MRI taken on Tuesday in Arlington showed increased strain on the subscapularis muscle in his right shoulder from the previous MRI. As a result, he will undergo right shoulder surgery on Monday in Arlington with surgery to be performed by Dr. Keith Meister. The timetable for recovery and rehab won’t be determined until the extent of the surgery is known.

...all of a sudden I had what was called “the posse” all over me. Cal Ripken, Ben McDonald, Brady Anderson, Chris Hoiles, all of the above. They beat me on my ribcage, physically abused me on my way to the training table. They taped me spread-eagle to the training table, they wrote “rookie” on my forehead with pink methylate, and they shoved a bucket of ice down my shorts. I missed the entire batting practice, and you know what? Phil Regan, ...

There’s an asterisk after “LSD.” The asterisk refers to some words just below the hand of the Astros player in the rocking chair. According to Hartig, those words read: “Leo S. Durocher,” apparently trying to call the Cubs manager a crybaby.

Now, Durocher’s middle initial wasn’t “S”—his middle name was “Ernest.” It does appear that it could have been a drug reference, which seems very odd in that buttoned-down era. Some have speculated it was for “Lake Shore Drive” in Chicago—but no one in ...

To hear manager Ned Yost tell it, the Royals could open the season with an eight-man bullpen, one more than the usual number of relievers. The extra pitcher would provide insurance if Hochevar needs extra time to ready himself for extended duty.

“It depends on where Hoch is at,” Yost said. “If we need to protect Hoch, then, probably. If we don’t need to protect Hoch, then probably not.”

Remember when people said Lackey would never pitch for the minimum. Good times.

Lackey, working out at a Cardinals camp for the first time Wednesday, said he would be amenable to a contract extension although he quickly added that there was “nothing close.

“If it’s something that works for both sides. I would like it,” said the 36-year-old Lackey, who very much likes what he’s seen with the Cardinals in just the two-plus months he spent with them last August through October.

The Diamondbacks became the latest team to cash in on baseball’s exploding local television market, agreeing to remain with Fox Sports Arizona under a contract that’s believed to be worth in excess of $1 billion. Sources would not provide details of the agreement, such as specific financial terms or even the length of the contract, but there are indications the deal is in line with expectations based on previous comments from club officials.

“People are going to say what they want to, believe what they want to. When you say PEDs to me, man, I just can’t even comprehend that with me just because I don’t really believe I tried to enhance my performance on the field,” Pettitte said. “If I would have, I would have told y’all that. Man, my story has been an open book. When it all came out [in the Mitchell report in ...